Royal Uncle Cao

The newest of the Eight Immortals, Royal Uncle Cao or Cao Guojiu (曹國舅 in pinyin: cáo guó jiù) or Wade-Giles, Ts'ao Kuo-ch'iu, is named one of the following:

Related Topics:
Eight Immortals - Pinyin - Wade-Giles

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• Cao Yi (曹佾 cáo yì) (courtesy name Gongbo (公伯 g?ng bó))
• Cao Jing (曹景 cáo j?ng)
• Cao Jingxiu (曹景休 cáo j?ng xi?)
• Cao You (曹友 cáo y?u).

He was said to be the uncle of the Emperor of the Song Empire, being the younger brother of Empress Dowager Cao (曹太后 cáo tàihòu).

Related Topics:
Emperor - Song Empire

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In historic records, there were several Emperor-consorts Caos in the Song Empire, but only one became empress: Cishengguangxian Empress (慈聖光獻皇后 cí shèng gu?ng xiàn huáng hoù) (1015 - 1079), the wife of the fourth Song emperor, Rénz?ng (仁宗), none of whose children became an emperor.

Related Topics:
1015 - 1079 - Rénz?ng

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However, this therefore does not render the historical existence of the "Royal Uncle Cao" impossible. Because in pre-modern China, the address "uncle" also meant "brother-in-law". Sometimes specified as "Wife-uncle" (妻舅 q? jiù) or as a respect, "Uncle zi" (舅子 jiù z?) (parallel to Lao Zi). Císhènggu?ngxiàn Empress did have a younger brother named Cao Yi in historical record. But the given name of Royal Uncle Cao being Yi as well could be a post hoc.

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Cao Guojiu's younger brother Cao Jingzhi (曹景植 cáo j?ng zhí) was a bully, but no-one dared prosecuted him because of relation to the queen, not even after he killed a person. Royal Uncle Cao was so overwhelmed by sadness and shame that he resigned his office and left home.

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Royal Uncle Cao: Depiction ►